WVFD is the Recipient of Township’s Cares Act Money
Windham - Windham WVFD held their regularly scheduled meeting recently with half of the board attending physically and the other half attending via Zoom. The meeting was called to order and the board approved the minutes and expenditures, before moving on to the chief’s report. Chief Rich Gano reported that they had 559 calls year to date. (October 31, 2020)...
Garrettsville Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on October 14th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Larry Beatty, John Chambers, and Tom Collins (via Zoom). Jeff Kaiser was unable to attend as he was traveling at the time. Due to COVID-19 social distancing...
Game Board is Inspiration for Shopping Local
Ravenna - Life is a game of chance. You shake the white die in your hand, kiss it for luck and give it a toss. You hear it clank against the board and peek open one eye in the hopes it is the number that you need. Sometimes you get money sometimes you lose money -- all in the...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the November Board meeting, District Treasurer Sarah Palm shared the District’s Five Year Forecast. In it, Palm noted that in Fiscal Year 2021, a revenue shortfall is expected. According to Palm, “This means that expenditures are expected to be greater than revenue by $374,231.” She also noted that based on current projections, by Fiscal Year 2025...
PCDL Returning to Curbside Pickup
Portage County District Library (PCDL) will be returning to curbside pickup of library materials beginning Monday, November 30. This is due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 within Portage County and bordering counties. Patrons will be able to schedule times to pick up their holds at all of our branches. Holds may be placed through our online catalog, or by...
Portage EMA Encourages Public To Review Draft County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Ravenna - The Portage County Hazard Mitigation Plan is currently being updated. It is necessary to update the plan every five years so that the county and participating communities remain eligible for pre-disaster and post-disaster mitigation grant programs.We are currently nearing the end of the plan update process and invite residents of Portage County to participate by reviewing and...
Can You Solve The Christmas Mystery In Garrettsville?
Higgeldy piggeldySanta on Christmas EveSleigh full of starlight,A-twinkle his eyes. Santa’s voice worships theGlittering quietude,Spreading good cheerAs he crosses the sky. Garrettsville - The Garfield PTO in partnership with the Garfield Middle School Beta Club have announced their first annual Holiday Hunt! Clues will be hidden within the uniquely painted window murals of local businesses; each mural will represent a classic...
Mantua Twp. Trustee News
Mantua Twp. - At their last meeting, the Trustees discussed how the Township could better utilize Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. In addition to N95 masks, gloves, touchless hand sanitizer and soap, Trustees discussed the purchase of a new message board, and equipment to facilitate online meetings. Trustee Matt Benner reported gathering estimates to update lighting...
Santa Making Adjustments In Schedule To Ensure Christmas Eve Travels
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce was notified this week that Santa and many of his elves are on pre-Christmas travel restrictions through Christmas Eve, which means that he will not be making his annual appearance at the clock tower lighting. Upon hearing from Santa, the chamber board determined that we would do our part and follow...
Martial Arts Ohio Opens in Mantua
“We are so excited to open Martial Arts Ohio in Mantua,” shared owner Jack Edwards. Program Director Jessica Globokar added, “As one of six new businesses in Mantua in recent months, we’re so excited to be a part of revitalization in Mantua.” They’ve worked incredibly hard to revitalize their current space, working “from the ground up” creating a welcoming lobby...
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Trail Lake Park in Streetsboro!
Trail Lake Park, located at 605 Ravenna Road in Streetsboro, will officially open on Friday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m. Park staff and Foundation members will be on site for open house hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to share information on natural resources, history, amenities and more. The Park District acquired the property on the southern boundary of Herrick...
DMRC Auction Invites You to Experience Mantua
Mantua - Since 2007, the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC) has been helping to breathe new life into the historic Village. From small-scale projects like the addition of planter boxes and bike racks to providing matching funds in support of large-scale projects including the Mill Street extension of the Headwaters Trail, the south side sidewalk construction, and the downtown...
Middlefield Restaurant Round-Up
Middlefield - If you’re looking for a new, nearby place to get out and grab a meal, why not check out nearby Middlefield? You can fill up on great eats without filling up your gas tank. Who knows -- you might just find some new favorite places, too! (The establishments are listed in alphabetical order.) Big Bill’s Burgers 18895 North State...
Mental Health & Drug Courts Receive Funding
The Portage County Specialized Dockets for mental health and substance use disorders each received a $30,000 grant from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County. Specialized dockets are particular sessions of court that offer a therapeutically oriented judicial approach to providing court supervision and appropriate treatment to individuals. Certified...
Windham Village Council Approves Truck Purchase
Windham - The Windham Village Council met via Zoom for their regularly scheduled meeting on October 27, 2020 with all council members in attendance. Council approved the minutes from the September 22, 2020 regular meeting and three special meetings on 10.05/2020, 10/13/2020 and 10/15/2020. Council accepted and approved the fiscal report and bank reconciliation leaving a balance of $1,828,375.61 as of...
Local Beekeepers Gather to Prepare for Winter
Middlefield - As temperatures cool many of us are preparing for another NE Ohio winter, and those preparations are even more important for our local beekeepers. On Saturday, Oct 24, beekeepers from Geauga, Trumbull and Ashtabula spent the day at John’s Country Nursery learning the importance of proper care and maintenance of their hives from Garden Center Manager Christine...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the last Board meeting, Crestwood School District Treasurer Sarah Palm shared the latest Revenue and Expenditure comparisons with the Board. She noted that the latest Revenue Comparison shows that District revenues are generally aligned with what was presented in the May 5th Year Forecast. She shared that in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, revenues are currently $20,141,208....
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Short & Sweet and zooming along, the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary club met online to contemplate some particulars about the upcoming RAFFLE on Friday, November 13, 2020. First of all, where to stage this fandango? Especially, where to have this, considering health and safety issues currently in force. A brand-new ticket drum will be used on this momentous occasion and there...
Putting for a Cause
Ravenna - It was brisk and overcast on Saturday but that did not stop over 50 people from coming out to support the Main Street Ravenna fundraiser being hosted at the Birdie Shack. Having a benefit is difficult given the current social distancing procedures, but the regeneration group came up with a “putterrific” idea. In place of the annual Savory...
Local Farmers Provide Support & Hope
Ohio Relief Haulers, a nonprofit organization the aims to help farmers battle against natural disasters like flooding or fires, was begun in 2017 by Travis and Brittany Hamlin. The couple, who run the Hamlin Livestock Ranch in Rootstown, have farming in their blood; Travis is part of the multi-generational Derthick’s Farm in Mantua. As the couple cares for their young...
Emergency Relief Fund Helps Students Stay on Course Despite COVID-19 Disruptions
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everyday life for everyone. For some, it’s minor. For others, it’s catastrophic. Here on the Kent State University at Geauga Campus, economic hardships caused by the pandemic have threatened to derail many students’ academic plans and their hopes for a better future. Consider just a few examples: One student (a single mother) had her hours cut...
Love for Old Cards
Holiday greeting cards are a timeless tradition and a special gift. But what to do with them after the season has passed?Breathe new life into old cards – your own from home, or those provided for you – during our Greeting Card Upcycle workshop on Tuesday, November 10, 6 to 8 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center. Artist Brigitte...
Trick-or-Treat Drive-Thru is a Spook-tacular Success
Ravenna - Three little voices sweetly chirped Trick-or-Treat! from the back seat holding their Halloween bags out the car window, excitedly hoping for candy to add to their growing collection. Lily, 8, dressed as Rapunzel and Sophia, 6, a dancer sang Yay! and Thank you! in unison as their tiny sister Una, 2, Princess Poppy from Trolls, dropped a...
Freedom Twp. Hisorical Society Ready for Class
Freedom Twp. - The Drakesburg Schoolhouse # 2 looks just about ready for “in-person” classes right now…and considering that it first appeared on the Portage County tax maps in 1874, that’s pretty darned good, considering that it also housed township equipment, sheep & other critters, a church and lots of trash over the years since the township schools were...
Outstanding in Your (Corn) Field
As autumn comes to a close, you may be working your way through your own Fall Bucket list. And if a visit to a corn maze is in your plans, then you’re in luck! The area is fortunate to have several corn mazes that are open through the end of October. Mazes are listed in alphabetical order; please call...
Garrettsville Council Sets New Rates for Cemetery
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on October 14th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting was held in person with no audience. The meeting was...
People Tree Holiday Program 2020.
We know it seems early, but if you or your family need help this season, it is time let us know! People Tree provides Christmas gifts for children 14 years old and younger, not being served by another group, who live in the JAG School system and the Windham School system. We also provide Holiday food for anyone who would...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The following items were under discussion at the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary meeting on October 19, 2020 via zoom :Sponsorship for the November 13 Rotary Raffle are still coming in, are much appreciated and still available. See any Rotarian. Ditto for tickets for the event. Tickets are available at McCumbers-Brady Realty, The Business Works and Middlefield Bank. Great odds for winning....
WVFD News
Windham - The WVFD Fire District met for their regularly scheduled meeting recently, with one member absent from the board.The board approved the minutes and expenditures. They opened the floor up to anyone who would like to speak. There were no pre-approved guests to speak. An employee wants to go to medic school and would like the board to...
Popular Library Puzzle Exchange is Back
Ravenna - Reed Memorial Library has brought back its monthly Puzzle Exchange, modified to fit within current pandemic restrictions. “The monthly exchange is a longstanding library event and very popular with our community,” related Alison Shelley, Children’s’ Outreach Coordinator. “Everyone has really missed the puzzle exchange since COVID-19 hit. We’ve worked hard to bring this event back safely under...
